The nonprofit sector has been slow to embrace technology in the past, but recent circumstances have forced organizations to rethink their approach. Lori Freeman, Vice President and General Manager of Salesforce for Nonprofits, explains that the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted nonprofits to reevaluate their tech policies and consider remote work possibilities. This shift has highlighted the importance of engaging supporters and delivering services remotely.
One of the challenges facing nonprofits is the decline in individual donations, which has put their income streams at risk. As a result, organizations need to rethink their income strategies and focus on building donor relationships to encourage repeat donations. While individual contributions are decreasing, institutional giving from corporates and foundations is on the rise, prompting nonprofits to diversify their income streams.
Salesforce’s Nonprofit Cloud system offers solutions in fundraising, program management, grant-making, and outcomes tracking. By using technology to measure program effectiveness and engage donors, nonprofits can improve their services and demonstrate the impact of their work. The upcoming release of Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud will include AI-based tools to support fundraising and outcome management, but some organizations are hesitant to adopt AI due to concerns about data security and job loss.
Freeman encourages nonprofits to start with the question they want to answer or the processes they want to automate when considering AI implementation. Developing a strong data strategy is essential to maximize the value of AI and ensure data privacy. While the nonprofit sector may not be at the forefront of AI adoption, Freeman believes that implementation will be steady and incremental, driven by the need to address complex challenges facing the sector.
Overall, the integration of technology, particularly AI, into nonprofit operations has the potential to enhance efficiency, improve donor engagement, and demonstrate impact. By leveraging AI tools and developing a sound data strategy, nonprofits can navigate the changing landscape of fundraising and service delivery to better fulfill their missions and create positive change in the world.